For a newborn we recommend having 18 to 24 diapers if you plan on washing your diapers every other day.  If you plan on washing every day you could probably get by with a little less and if you plan on washing less often you'll need more.  Newborns tend to go through about 12 diapers a day.  As baby gets older changes will be less frequent, about 8 changes a day, but you'll also need to find diapers that will work for overnight.

To figure out what type of diapers will be best for you consider your budget and lifestyle.

On average flats will be your least expensive option.  They can be folded to fit baby as he/she grows.  They do require pins or a snappi to fasten and a water-proof cover to keep wetness in.  Two dozen flat diapers could get you from birth to potty training and will most likely last through several children.

The next option is prefold diapers.  These do not require as much folding as flats, but are also more limited by size, meaning you will need to buy bigger sizes as baby grows.  These also require pins or a snappi to fasten and a water proof cover to keep wetness in.  Prefolds will also last through several children.

Contours and fitted diapers are a slightly more expensive option.  Contours are much like prefolds, but do not require any special folding techniques.  Contours also require pins or a snappi for fastening as well as a water proof cover.  Contour diapers are usually sized Sm, Med and Large, so you will need to re-stash as baby grows.  Fitteds are just that, more fitted to baby by using elastic around the legs and waist.  Fitteds often come with snaps or velcro for fastening, but not always.  Fitteds also require a water proof cover to keep in wetness.  Most fitteds will require you to size up at least twice, though there are some two-step and one-size options.

All-In-Ones are a more expensive, but very convenient option, as easy to use as disposables.  They come with hook and loop or snaps for fastening and also include a water proof layer to keep wetness in.  You will have to upsize as baby grows.  The only draw back when it comes to all-in-ones is that they tend to be bulky and take longer to dry.

Pocket diapers are also one of the more expensive options, but offer a completely customizable absorbency.  Like all-in-ones they use hook and loop or snap closure and include a water proof layer to keep in wetness, but they do not have the same draw backs because of the fact that you can stuff them to fit your needs.  They are usually stuffed with micro-fiber or hemp inserts, but you could really use anything that will absorb the wetness.  Use less during the day for a trimmer fit and then stuff them to the max for a perfect night time solution!  During washing and drying you remove the inserts and they dry rather quickly.  Some pockets are sized, but many are "one-sized" and offer an adjustable fit as baby grows.

Something else to think about, if your baby will be going to daycare they may prefer the ease of use of all-in-ones or pre-stuffed pockets over other types of cloth diapers.  Be sure to check with the center to determine what, if any, cloth diapers they will allow.

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